Just off the bustling Oxford Street, a few flights down, we enter a world of music and history: Big Country were playing at the legendary 100 Club. This iconic venue has hosted some of the all-time greats and long championed up-and-coming sounds, as well as being famous for its reputation as the oldest independent venue in the world, writes Bella Christy.
Big Country were supported by the Glasgow-based band Pistol Daisys. Fronted by the instantly likeable and charismatic duo, Belly and Lorna, and backed by their passionate and endearing young drummer Lewis, they brought a fresh energy to the stage.
Skirting the line between rock and pop, the band delivered an energetic and lively performance. Belly and Lorna’s voices blend beautifully and powerfully, commanding the attention of the room and encouraging the crowd to move and groove.
Stand out songs included Whiskey & Wine and Saint Glasgow. The latter, in true support act fashion, included a portion of call and response that had us all doing our best to hit those high notes – a classic but effective way to get a room full of strangers to the band onside.
There was no sense of gritting through the support act, I thoroughly enjoyed the vibe and sound of Pistol Daisys.
Then came the main event: Big Country. The room was clearly full of long term fans, with a lot of vintage tour merch adorning the packed crowd. A testament to the band’s enduring career and loyal fanbase who have come out to celebrate the beginning of the 2025 Eastworld Tour.
First thing to note is that everyone in that room was having a great time, both band and audience were brimming with energy and life. Big Country produced a high octane rock sound, that, elevated by a Celtic influence, set them apart from others in the genre. While their sound has a sense of uniqueness, I wasn’t entirely sure how much variation there was between songs. That said, the crowd was behind each and every track.
Halfway through the set, Big Country invited Pistol Daisys back to rejoin them for two more numbers. The stage became full of people who loved their craft, a true celebration of music uniting young and old. The spirit of celebration continued as the band paid tribute to the late Mike Peters, a legend in the industry and former band member.
Having gone into the gig completely blind, I am pleased to report that both Pistol Daisys and Big Country had me up and dancing. A great evening if you are looking for a high energy night out.
Booking and full tour details: https://bigcountry.co.uk/
